Course Title: Edit sound using computerized digital equipment/systems

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2007

Course Code: COSC5222C

Course Title: Edit sound using computerized digital equipment/systems

School: 345T Creative Media

Campus: City Campus

Program: C4128 - Certificate IV in Music Industry (Technical Production)

Course Contact : Adam Lovell

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4976

Course Contact Email:adam.lovell@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Anthony Norris
(Digital Audio Theory & Digital Audio Editing)
anthony.norris@rmit.edu.au

John Phillips
(Computer Operations)
john.phillips@rmit.edu.au

Nominal Hours: 85

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

A pass or solid understanding of year 10 mathematics is highly recommended for Digital Audio Theory.

Course Description

This course, which is divided into three subjects, deals with:

  • Digital audio
  • Audio hardware & software use
  • Use of Audio software for editing


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

CUSSOU24A Edit sound using computerized digital equipment/systems

Element:

Adjust the sequenced footage

Element:

Conform the footage to the edit decision list

Element:

Create or use an edit decision list

Element:

Decommission the editing facility

Performance Criteria:

5.1

Report to relevant personnel and document any equipment that is damaged and that requires maintenance

5.2

Leave the work site in the original or improved condition, ensuring that there has been no adverse impact on the site

Element:

Determine the production requirements

Performance Criteria:

1.1

Research and discuss creative and practical considerations with relevant personnel so as to fulfill production requirements and/or editorial standards

1.2

Decide on suitable digital sound editing equipment requirements with the relevant personnel and document all requirements as per organisational guidelines if necessary

1.3

Determine the format and materials required for the edit with relevant personnel and document in accordance with production requirements

1.4

Obtain or access equipment and accessories as required and ensure consistency with the production requirements before commencement of production

1.5

Receive final approval from production stakeholders if required

Element:

Load the source footage

Element:

Play out the post conform work and archive the edit job

Element:

Prepare for digital sound editing

Performance Criteria:

2.1

Ensure that digital audio editing equipment is operational and functioning adequately according to organisational and production requirements

2.2

Identify, preview and list all sound sequences to be used in the production according to production requirements

2.3

Ensure that all materials are at hand to complete the editing session

2.4

Create a digital copy of all original audio tracks to ensure there is a backup should an error in editing occur

2.5

Preview the recorded audio and identify edit positions on the edit plan document/production schedule in order to optimize sound

2.6

Complete any documentation required to meet the legal, operational or organisational standards

Element:

Prepare for the edit


Learning Outcomes


Not Applicable


Details of Learning Activities

Learning for this course is achieved through:

1- Practical classroom exercises.
2- Structured practical demonstrations
3- Project  work completed by students throughout the semester.
4- Work undertaken outside school

Some classes for this course will involve practical demonstration by the teacher using relevant technologies followed by individual exercises by students to explore the technical and creative issues raised.

The course is divided into three subject areas, each with their own points of focus:


DIGITAL AUDIO THEORY

•    Process Overview: A step-based overview of the digital encoding process as pertaining to analogue to digital, digital to analogue conversion standards.
•    Terminology & Concepts: Conceptual basis of each stage of processes, theories that govern including language and terminology relevant to the subject.
•    CD-DA Production Protocol: Understanding the Red Book standard outlining the data-format and protocol of Audio Compact Discs.


COMPUTER OPERATIONS

    This subject introduces students to:

  • Use of computers as an audio recording and editing tool
  • The Apple Macintosh computer platform
  • Mac OS X operating system
  • Audio editing software
It focusses on developing fundamental skills in the use of two main audio applications:
  • PRO-TOOLS
  • LOGIC PRO
This is achieved through a series of computer lab sessions that allow students to individually work on audio editing assignments.


DIGITAL AUDIO EDITING

    This subject is based in computer labs, where students work individually on audio editing assignments, primarily utilising the PRO-TOOLS application.
    See semester2 for further details.


Teaching Schedule

This course consists of three separate subjects, delivered over two semesters. The subjects are:

DIGITAL AUDIO THEORY
(semester 1)

COMPUTER OPERATIONS
(semester 1)

DIGITAL AUDIO EDITING
(semester 2)

Details for the two semester 1 components are as follows:

COMPUTER OPERATIONS
This subject is delivered through 8 weekly computer lab sessions

 WEEK   TOPIC                                                 
   
1 Introduction to Macs & OS X
2 Introduction to LOGIC PRO
3 LOGIC PRO exercise
4 LOGIC PRO assessment
5 Introduction to PRO TOOLS
6 PRO TOOLS exercise
7 PRO TOOLS assessment
8 Written & multiple choice EXAM


DIGITAL AUDIO THEORY
This subject is delivered through 8 weekly classes

 WEEK    TOPIC                                                 
   
1 Intro to subject and course
2 Digital to Analogue signal path
3 Sequential process descriptions
4 Error correction & codecs
5 Dithering
6 CD-DA standards & protocols
7 Revision
8 Written examination


DIGITAL AUDIO EDITING
This subject is delivered in Computer Labs, through 15 weekly sessions.
See semester 2 for further details.






Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources

http://www.digido.com/
Digital Domain. Bob Katz’s premier site for all digital audio.

http://www.earlevel.com/index.html
Earlevel Engineering Home Page

http://www.osxaudio.com
‘The ultimate Mac OSX audio resource’

http://www.macdigitalaudio.com/

http://www.versiontracker.com
Source of up to date software & related updates / patches. OSX, OS9, Windows.

http://www.macmusic.org/home/?lang=EN
MIDI & audio on Macintosh

http://www.apple.com
Hardware, Operating System & audio / video editing software vendor & extensive support, developer documentation etc.

http://www.macdigitalaudio.com
Audio in the Digital Realm

http://www.digidesign.com
AVID’s Digidesign Site: Home of Pro Tools

http://www.everymac.com
extensive database of all Mac models listing hardware / software limitations &
expansion options.


Overview of Assessment

Assessment is made through:

Written & multiple choice examinations
Practical Audio software assessments


Assessment Tasks

ASSESSMENT GUIDE FOR THE THREE COMPONENT SUBJECTS:


       
    ASSESSMENT            
 WEIGHTING 

                                                        
                           

DIGITAL AUDIO THEORY


Written short answer / Multiple choice exam
 100%




COMPUTER OPERATIONS

Logic Pro assessment
  30%

Pro-Tools assessment
  30%

Written short answer / Multiple choice exam
  40%




DIGITAL AUDIO EDITING

Assessment 1A - Recognition
  15%

Assessment 1B - Preparation    15%

Assessment 2  - Major Project 
  70%




Assessment Matrix

Not applicable

Course Overview: Access Course Overview